‘Inspector Singh Investigates’ by Shamini FlintPublished by Little Brown, January 2009. ISBN: 978-0-7499-2975-6

This is the first book in a new series featuring an Inspector in the Singapore police force.  Inspector Singh is a first glance not a prepossessing character, he is of large girth, I think the description is ‘fleshy’. A heavy smoker,  his breathing always sounding strained,  and nor we gather he is  not a  particularly snappy dresser.  We meet Inspector  Singh wedged in a plastic seat at Changi Airport.  He had just that morning read in the newspaper of the murder of Alan Lee and felt sorry for the policeman who would be charged with the task of finding the murderer, he was even more sorrier now that he has learnt that it was himself. 

Although the murder of Alan Lee was in Malaysia, the accused Alan Lee’s wife Chelsea Liew is a Singapore citizen.   Inspector Singh knows that he has been passed the poisoned chalice.  His hostile reception by the Malaysian police is no surprise. He is assigned an assistant or rather, as Singh knows, a spy.

He begins his investigation by interviewing Chelsea Liew, the accused and is not wholly convinced of her guilt. Despite Inspector Mohammad’s assertion that they have an open and shut case, Singh begins to dig.  His method is to listen, and he reminded me in his approach of Inspector Gamache in the Louise Penny books.  

For Chelsea Liew her main consideration is her children, prior to the murder she and her husband has been locked in a custody battle, and now he is dead and she is potentially on death row for his murder, things look bleak.  As Singh investigates he discovers several possible suspects  for the killing of Alan Lee – not a popular man by all accounts. 

There are many twists in the story, which draw on the background of its setting.  I learnt a good deal about the relationship of Malaysia and Singapore.  I alluded initially to Inspector Singh being of unprepossessing visage but he grows on one. He is a wonderful character, his intellect cleverly belied by his appearance.  

This is a marvellous book. I enjoyed it enormously and cannot recommend it too highly. The writing is good, the characters clearly defined, and Inspector Singh a terrific character. I also loved the humour which is subtle and in many ways endearing.  I understand that a second book is to be issued later this year. I will be first in line for it.

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Lizzie Hayes